Photoelectric musical tone generator



June 28, 1966 J. L. LIVINGSTON PHOTOELECTRIC MUSICAL TONE GENERATOR '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 20 1961 1N VEN TOR.

June 28, 1966 J. LIVINGSTON PHOTOELECTRIC MUSICAL TONE GENERATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 20 1961 Fig. 3

Joseph L. Livingsfon INVENTOR.

Q BY all fiM 3,258,518 PHOTOELECTRIC MUSICAL TONE GENERATOR Joseph L. Livingston, New York, NY. (41 E. Forest Ave, Apt. 1-B, Englewood, NJ.) Filed Nov. 20, 1961, Ser. No. 153,486 12 Claims. (Cl. 84-118) This invention relates to a new and useful arrangement or system for generating musical tones by electrically reproducing sounds which have been optically recorded.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a musical tone generator capable of producing a musical composition requiring a plurality of different instrument sounds without the use of extensive and cumbersome apparatus.

Another object of this invention is to provide a musical tone generator that may be compactly assembled for the reproduction of musical sounds with a quality and in a quantity not presently available by any comparable ap paratus.

In accordance with the foregoing objects, the present invention involves the use of a plurality of instrument units from which current carrying cables extend which cables conduct sound modulated current for electrically reproducing the different tones available for each of the instruments associated with the respective instrument units. Each of the instrument units is comprised of a stack of tone cells from which each of the different tones of the instrument is derived. A moving source of light impinges on one light receiving face of each of the tone cells in order to produce the different tones for each of the instruments. Each tone cell is composed of a block of light conducting material such as glass coated with a reflective layer and enclosed by a light absorbing layer except for the light receiving face thereof. Embedded along one longitudinal corner of the light transmitting block of each tone cell, is a photovoltaic cell of the strip type arranged to receive light admitted through the light receiving face of the tone cell. The light receiving face of each tone cell is therefore restrictively blocked by a photographic film having a light admitting sound track which constitutes an optical reproduction of one tone of the instrument. It will therefore be apparent from the foregoing, that the tone generator is capable of reproducing the musical tones available for a plurality of instruments by a compact arrangement of parts.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a partial perspective view of one examplary arrangement of the apparatus forming the tone generator of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 22 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 33 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a partial sectional view taken through a plane indicated by section line 4-4 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view illustrating a single tone producing cell as viewed from the light receiving face thereof.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view with parts broken away illustrating a single tone producing cell as viewed from its output side.

FIGURE 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the operating principles of the present invention.

l United States Patent 0 3,258,518 Patented June 28, 1966 Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be observed from FIGURE 1, that the tone generator of the present invention is generally referred to by reference numeral 10. The tone generator includes a plurality of instrument units 12 which may be mounted adjacent to each other in any suitable manner. A motor drive 14 is provided for operating the instrument unit 12 in one exemplary embodiment. It will be noted therefore, that each of the instrument units 12 is housed within an en closure 16 upon which there may be mounted a terminal output section 18 from Which current carrying cables 20 extend. The cables 20 may accordingly be connected to sound producing electrical systems involving amplifiers and key operated switches for selective reproduction of sounds associated with each of the cables 20 in a manner well known to those skilled in the art.

Referring now to' FIGURES 2 and 3 in particular, it will be observed that the housing 16 of each instrument unit 12 fixedly mounts therewithin a plurality of vertically spaced light emitting lamps generally referred to by reference numeral 22 to establish a moving source of illumination 22 which also includes a reflector 24 for directing light in one direction. Moving across the light exposing face of the reflector 24, is an endlessly moving light blocking strip 26 which is mounted between a pair of rotatable sprocket wheels 28 and 30 rotatably mounted by the housing 16 for time controlled movement of the strip 26. The drive motor 14 may accordingly be connected to the shaft 32 of one sprocket wheel assembly 28 for movement thereof at the proper speed. The light block ing strip 26 is therefore provided with a plurality of spaced slits 34 through which the light from the lamps 22 is transmitted. The slits 34 are aligned with a plurality of stacked tone producing cells 36 which are fixedly mounted within the enclosure 16 in spaced relation to the source of illumination 22. Movement of the slits 34 will accordingly mov the light transmitted therethrough in a direction parallel to a light receiving face 38 of each tone producing cell 36. The light blocking strip 26 may accordingly be properly programed for continuously moving light across each of the light receiving faces 38 so that the output from each of the tone producing cells constituted by a light modulated current conductor housed within the cables 20 may be selectively controlled for producing the desired combination of tones.

Each of the tone producing cells is therefore constructed in a manner facilitating the compact stacking thereof within each of the instrument units 12. Referring therefore to FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 in particular, it will be observed that each tone producing cell 36 constitutes a shadow box or a light confining enclosure. Accordingly, the cell 36 is made of a block of light transmitting material 40 such as glass all surfaces of which except for the light receiving face 38 being coated with a light reflective layer 42 of silver for the purpose of reflecting light admitted through the light receiving face toward a photovoltaic cell 44 of the strip type which is embedded along one longitudinal center of the block formed by the material 40. Disposed about the reflective layer 42, is a light absorbing layer 46 such as a dull black pigment by means of which the light transmitted through the glass 40 is confined to the tone producing cell. It will therefore be apparent that the current produced by the photo-voltaic cell will vary with the intensity of the light admitted through the light receiving face 38 of the tone producing cell in order to electrically produce a light modulated current output from the photo-voltaic cell. Accordingly, the photovoltaic cell is provided with a pair of terminal jacks 48 by means of which it may be electrically connected to the output terminal section 18.

It will now become apparent that by controlling the amount of light admitted through the light receiving face of each of the tone producing cells 36, the different tones for each of the instruments may be reproduced. Accordingly, mounted on each of the light receiving faces 38, is a sound modulated photographic film strip 5b which is generally opaque and includes a light admitting sound track 52 which is effective to admit light from the moving slits 34 in order to reproduce a selected tone of a selected instrument by correspondingly modulating the current output from the photo-voltaic cell 44 associated therewith. The sound so produced occurs therefore as a result of the relative movement between the source of light transmitted through the slits 34 and the light receiving face of the tone producing cells. The opposite longitudinal end portions of each of the film strips 5& is therefore provided with a progressively shaded portion 54 in order to gradually fade in and fade out the sound being reproduced.

Referring now to FIGURE 7 in particular, it will be observed that as the light blocking strip 26 moves relative to the source of illumination 22 each of the tone producing cells 36 will provide a varying current in the output cables 20, the current variations being controlled by the photographic film strip 50 which restrictively admits the light to each of the tone producing cells. Operation and utility of the tone generating apparatus of the present invention will therefore be apparent. It will therefore be appreciated, that the compact stacked arrangement of the novel tone producing cells provides a convenient method for reproducing the tones available from different instruments. The tones are reproduced, however, in response to relative movement between the light and the light receiving face of each of the tone cells. Although movement of the light transmitting slits with respect to the fixed mounting of the tone cells has been described in the illustrated embodiment, it will be appreciated that other relative movement arrangements may be resorted to. It will also be appreciated, that each of the instrument units may be reconditioned by replacement of the photographic film strip 59 mounted on the light receiving faces 38 of the tone producing cells.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For use in a musical tone generator, a tone cell comprising, a light transmitting medium, light confining enclosure means mounted on said medium exposing a light receiving face thereof, light sensitive means mounted in said medium in spaced relation to said light receiving face for light modulated current control, reflective means internally coating said enclosure means for redirection of light through said medium from said light receiving face to the light sensitive means, and sound modulated photographic film means fixedly mounted directly on said light receiving face for restricting light received therethrough from a moving source of light to produce a musical tone variation in current controlled by the light sensitive means.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said light sensitive means is a photo-voltaic cell of the strip type for generating a variable signal current in response to light of varying intensity.

3. The combination of claim 2, wherein said light transmitting medium comprises a solid block of light transmitting material recessed along one longitudinal corner for reception of said light sensitive means in spaced relation to said light receiving face, said reflective means coating all surfaces of said block except said light receiving face, said light confining means externally coating said reflective means.

4. The combination of claim 3, wherein said sound modulated film means includes a strip of opaque film having a light admitting sound track extending longitudinally thereof for optically reproducing a single tone of one musical instrument, and transition shaded track portions adjacent opposite ends of said strip of film for optically fading of said musical tone.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein said light transmitting medium comprises a solid block of light transmitting material recessed along one longitudinal corner for reception of said light sensitive means in spaced relation to said light receiving face, said reflective means coating all surfaces of said block except said light receiving face, said light confining means externally coating said reflective means.

6. The combination of claim. 1, wherein said sound modulated film means includes a strip of opaque film having a light admitting sound track extending longitudinally thereof for optically reproducing a single tone of one musical instrument, and transition shaded track portions adjacent opposite ends of said strip of film for optically fading of said musical tone.

7. A musical tone generator comprising, a plurality of instrument units, each instrument unit including, a plurality of different tone producing cells, a source of radiant energy, means establishing relative movement between said source and the tone producing cells and energy converting means operatively connected to each of said tone producing cells for providing tone generating signals in response to said relative movement, each tone producing cell comprising enclosure means exposing a radiant energy receiving face of a conductive medium, means mounted in said enclosure means in spaced relation to said receiving face for radiant energy modulated current control, reflective means internally coating said enclosure means for direction of radiant energy entering from said receiving face, and sound modulated photographic film means mounted on said light receiving face for restrictively admitting radiant energy therethrough to produce a musical tone variation modulated current control.

8. The combination of claim 7, wherein the film means in each instrument unit is sound modulated to produce the differenttones available for the same musical instrument associated with each instrument unit.

9. The combination of claim 8, wherein said means establishing relative movement comprises a stationary mounting for said source of radiant energy, and endless moving light blocking means having light admitting slits therein through which light is transmitted for movement parallel to the receiving face of each of the tone producing cells.

10. The combination of claim 7, wherein said means establishing relative movement comprises a stationary mounting for said source of radiant energy, and endless moving light blocking means having light admitting slits therein through which light is transmitted for movement parallel to the receiving face of each of the tone producing cells.

11. In a sound production device having means for converting light into sound, an opaque film having a modulating orifice of selected contour formed therein for passage of light therethrough, means for directing through said orifice a plurality of light beams so as to be received by said converting means, a reflective enclosure, and means for supporting said reflective enclosure and said film in fixed relation to each other, said contour of said orifice being defined by the curve of the sound to be obtained with one axis of said curve parallel to the line of relative movement of said plurality of light beams and said film and the other axis of said curve perpendicular to said line of relative movement, said reflective enclosure providing a face parallel to said line of relative movement exposed through said film in succession to said light beams through said orifice to selectively reflect light of said plurality of light beams spaced along said line of movement.

12. A musical tone generator comprising, spaced ray emitting means generating radiant energy, time controlled means for intermittently exposing said radiant energy from fixed spaced locations for propagation through a conductive medium, reflective means enclosing said conductive medium in fixed alignment with said spaced locations for restricting passage of radiant energy to the conductive medium, ray receiving means for converting said radiant energy in the conductive medium into sound energy, and film means fixedly mounted between the conductive medium and said spaced locations having an orifice track through which said radiant energy is admitted to vary the intensity of reflected radiant energy conducted through the conductive medium and impinging on the ray receiving means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Fleisher 84-128 Zoppa 841.18 Fuschi 841.18 Benjamin 84-1.18 Small 2502l6 Bajolet 84-1.18 Hester 338-16 Morris 250230 Hirsh 2502l6 Mahaney et a1 841.18 X Buitkus 84-118 15 ARTHUR GAUSS, Primary Examiner.

I. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Examiner.

J. W. YOUNG, I. C. EDELL, Assistant Examiners. 

1. FOR USE IN A MUSICAL TONE GENERATOR, A TONE CELL COMPRISING, A LIGHT TRANSMITTING MEDIUM, LIGHT CONFINING ENCLOSURE MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID MEDIUM EXPOSING A LIGHT RECEIVING FACE THEREOF, LIGHT SENSITIVE MEANS MOUNTED IN SAID MEDIUM IN SPACED RELATION TO SAID LIGHT RECEIVING FACE FOR LIGHT MODULATED CURRENT CONTROL, REFLECTIVE MEANS INTERNALLY COATING SAID ENCLOSURE MEANS FOR REDIRECTION OF LIGHT THROUGH SAID MEDIUM FROM SAID LIGHT RECEIVING FACE TO THE LIGHT SENSITIVE MEANS, AND SOUND MODULATED PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM MEANS FIXEDLY MOUNTED DIRECTLY ON SAID LIGHT RECEIVING FACE FOR RESTRICTING LIGHT RECEIVED THERETHROUGH FROM A MOVING SOURCE OF LIGHT TO PRODUCE A MUSICAL TONE VARIATION IN CURRENT CONTROLLED BY THE LIGHT SENSITIVE MEANS. 